"That’s kind of part of the deal when you get to this game, so it’s not a problem."

On if he still enjoys the preparation process

"I do. I feel like that’s got to be part of it. I think if you’re just dreading what you’re doing all week, you probably ought to find something else to do. I think that’s probably the challenge as you get older. I think everybody enjoys the football games but I’ve heard players in their late years say that they enjoyed the games but they didn’t enjoy the preparation and kind of the offseason workouts and the meetings and all that. I still do enjoy that part of it. I think being in a new offense, being with a new offensive coordinator and having some new teammates, it keeps you stimulated and it keeps you on your toes. I’m constantly learning, each week, something new. That certainly helps but I think that’s important to enjoy, like you said, the process, not just the outcome and the games."

On what he remembers about his first matchup with Patriots QB Tom Brady

"I don’t know. I’m not sure. It was a long time ago and I’m not sure how much relevance it has to this game."

On playing at home

"We like playing at home because our fans have been outstanding all season. I think anybody prefers to play at home and like I said, with their home fans. But this has been an excellent team—at home and on the road—that we’re playing. We need to do our job on the football field from an executing standpoint and count on that. At the same time we know our fans will be loud and excited. We’re certainly glad to be playing here."

On improving offensive execution

"We certainly felt like we left some points out there last week. That is something we have emphasized the entire season—finishing drives with touchdowns, not having to settle for field goals. [K] Matt [Prater] has been brilliant all season but we don’t want to have to count on him to make 45-yarders and 52-yarders. We want to do our best to get into the end zone. That’s an emphasis every single week and I think it’s definitely a major point of emphasis this week as well."

On being friends with Brady off the field

"I think it’s a pretty unique fraternity that all quarterbacks are in and Tom’s been playing the longest along with me during our career. We’ve played against each other a lot and we’ve both played a lot of football. I enjoy really trying to get to know a number of quarterbacks. Any chance to get to spend some time with them, maybe in the offseason at a banquet or at a golf tournament—talking a little ball—I’ve always enjoyed that part of it. And I’ve certainly enjoyed doing that with Tom during the times we’ve had a chance to do that."

On RB Knowshon Moreno

"I’ve only known Knowshon for two years but he has been through a lot just in the two seasons we have played together. Last year when I signed here, he was rehabbing a significant injury and wasn’t exactly sure how the roster was going to play out. And then during the season he was doing scout team which is definitely a humbling moment for any football player that has been a starter, been a first-round pick. This year, this past offseason once again, probably unsure on a roster position and now has just had an outstanding season. He has been extremely dependable in the pass-blocking and the run game, catching passes out of the backfield. I sure have appreciated all he’s done. There was a great [Sports Illustrated] article last week, talking about his life’s journey and just in the two seasons we’ve been together he’s been through an incredible journey as well. His attitude has been great and like I said, I sure do like having him back there next to me in the shotgun. It makes me feel real comfortable."

On the Patriots linebackers

"They’re extremely athletic. They’re active guys, big, physical, strong guys. [LB Jamie] Collins is rangey. You saw him make a couple of impressive coverage plays on a good tight end that they faced last week. [LB Don’t’a] Hightower is around the ball, explosive guy. Not many linebackers have that kind of size and strength. Two impressive athletes that have stepped right up and answered the bell like you said when they lost some other key starters."

On how it’s been working with Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway

"It’s hard to give a simple answer to that, but John has been first and foremost, he’s been leading this team and this organization and he’s been a great one to follow from that standpoint. But I think being an ex-quarterback, he has been a great resource. He doesn’t come to our quarterback meetings and he is not is on the phones with me during the game. I think he wants to make that clear that it is his job to hire good people to communicate with me on those ends. At the same time, I think you would be crazy not to ask a quarterback with his experience questions. It was kind of the same way growing up. My dad was never my coach by any means but when you enjoy playing quarterback and you want to learn about the position you try to use resources around you. And so I have asked John a number of questions and he’s provided me with any type of knowledge or tidbit from experiences that he’s had. He’s been very helpful that way and like all players, he’s been supportive of the players that he’s picked for this team and you certainly appreciate that."

On what game day is like for him

"I think everybody kind of settles into some kind of routine. Me and [WR Eric] Decker and [TE Jacob] Tamme carpool together—drive from the hotel to the stadium. We’ve done that for the past two years. We have a few other guys do it last year with us that are no longer here. But yeah, we feel fortunate to be playing still doing this time and you realize you’re driving down on Sunday on two games being played so you feel fortunate. That’s kind of part of our routine."

On blocking out thoughts of the future

"I really don’t think it’s hard to block that out. As a matter of fact, I think it’s probably even easier just to hone on in on what’s taking place right now. I really felt that that has been my approach since the beginning of last season. Just when you go through a significant injury and a major career change, you truly do go one year at a time and you don’t look past what’s going on now because you are not sure what’s going to happen. Tomorrow is not promised. I think it’s a healthy approach for an older player to go all in for 2013 regular season, 2014 postseason. For a young player, sure, it can be easy to look ahead to maybe that new contract that they want to get or some career goal that they’re trying to achieve. But at this point in my career, it’s easy just to focus in on what’s going on right now. It’s been a healthy approach and attitude for me and it keeps you honed in on the moment."